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Can Mosquitoes Transmit HIV or AIDS?

Because mosquitoes feed on blood and are linked to the spread of some of the world’s most dangerous diseases, it’s easy to conclude that they may transmit HIV. Thankfully, mosquitoes are unable to transmit HIV or AIDS. Even if they bite an HIV-positive individual, mosquitoes are unable to transmit it to another victim. Here’s why:

  • Mosquitoes are unable to become infected with HIV, and thus cannot transmit it.
  • A mosquito’s proboscis has two tubes: one to suck blood from its host and the other to inject saliva into the bite. Because only saliva is injected into the host, HIV cannot be transmitted through the bite.
  • Even if a mosquito has HIV in its body when it bites a host, the virus disappears in the mosquito after just one or two days.

Do Mosquitoes Transfer Blood When Feeding?

Mosquitoes may suck up your blood, but they do not inject or circulate it back into you. This is due to their unique proboscis. Made up of two tubes, one tube sends saliva into the host while the other sucks up blood. This two-tube system is why mosquitoes cannot transmit HIV, which is transmitted through infected blood. Any HIV-positive blood ingested by a mosquito is thus impossible to transmit to another host.

Do Mosquitoes Carry HIV With Them?

Even if a mosquito bites an HIV-positive individual, the virus will disappear in just 1-2 days, which is the time required for a mosquito to digest the blood. This is because HIV is unable to replicate within the mosquito’s gut, unlike humans in which HIV binds to T cells. During the mosquito’s digestion process, any HIV ingested will be completely destroyed.

Will I Get HIV From a Mosquito?

The good news is that you do not need to worry about mosquitoes transmitting HIV. Research has proven that an individual would have to be bitten by 10 million mosquitoes that all had been feeding on an HIV carrier for even a single unit of HIV to be transmitted. When it comes to mosquitoes and diseases, it’s important to focus on the vector-borne diseases they do carry and spread.

While you are safe from HIV and AIDS mosquitos still transmit other diseases. Contact your local mosquito control experts today. 

Can Mosquitoes Transmit HIV or AIDS? in Sevierville TN

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